Tools of the trade: Gadgets/Journals

[niassy151 60]

I'm posting in post-op because I want to know what people REALLY use to be successful.

Did anyone buy anything (measuring cups/special sized containers/etc) that they really like/find useful to staying on track?

Does anyone journal their food/keep a food/activity log? Does anyone use the Fitbook? It's kind of expensive but seems like it would be a really consistant way to track everything daily.

[carstanger 346]

14 months out. I have been tracking in myfitnesspal.com for over a year. I changed it to 75 grams of Protein by changing it to 1200 calories. I have figured out which dishes to use for certain measurements. Hope this helps.

[DLCoggin 1,788]

I've been logging in My Fitness Pal for just over two years. I firmly believe that, second only to the surgery itself, food logs are the single most powerful tool you can have post-op. Confidence, accountability, education, control - the benefits are almost limitless. Numerous clinical studies have shown that loggers lose more weight, lose weight faster and are more successful at maintaining their weight.

On the flip side - logging can be tedious and takes time every day. There is no denying that it takes commitment. But the longer you log, the easier it becomes. Perhaps more importantly, the longer you log the more you learn about your relationship with food and the effects that your choices have on your weight. An amazingly powerful tool and it doesn't cost a dime.

Edited January 21, 2014 by DLCoggin

[☠carolinagirl☠ 18,721]

i have a battery operated scale *that i use all the time* as i prepare my meals for week a head of time.(also use to put in freezer)..i also use a Blender Bottle for my Protein shakes and def splurged on small lock and lock containers to put my food in (Snacks etc) in order to grab and go....and i have blogged on this forum to (help) me.. and anyone else who wants to read my stuff

this i found has helped me greatly

[LouiseC 1,031]

Myfitnesspal (MFP) for over two years very consistently. Stalls in my weight loss have often corresponded with a lapse in my MFP use.

Polar watch to track calories burned and heart rate monitoring for my exercise.

A decent set of quality kitchen scales

A decent set of quality bathroom scales.

A good quality blender.

A small rice bowl for my cereal/yoghurt/soup etc and then use side plates for everything else.

Lots and lots of 250ml freezable, microwaveable, dishwasher able containers for left overs, lunches, and planning.

[lsereno 2,525]

My bathroom scale

My food scale

Measuring cups

Blender

Blender ball cup

Small bowls that hold about 1/2 cup

Tiny food processor for pureeing foods

For right after surgery:

Tiny spoon

liquid measuring cup and shot glass (use the liquid measuring cup like a pitcher and drink 1/2 shot glass every 15 minutes)

Fine strainer for cream Soups to strain out any food bits

Moist bathroom wipes

Best wishes on your journey!

Lynda

[lsereno 2,525]

Also I kept track of all foods, liquids exercise etc. in a small notebook using 1 page for each day and I took it with me to dr appts. It's nice to look at now to see hoe far I've come. I also use a pill holder for my Vitamins and supplements. I keep it on the shelf with my toothpaste and it helps me remember to take them. I keep the Calcium there too but in a sugar shaker because they are too big to fit in the pill holder. Lynda

Edited January 21, 2014 by lsereno

[iamsoworthit 430]

Also I kept track of all foods, liquids exercise etc. in a small notebook using 1 page for each day and I took it with me to dr appts. It's nice to look at now to see hoe far I've come. I also use a pill holder for my Vitamins and supplements. I keep it on the shelf with my toothpaste and it helps me remember to take them. I keep the Calcium there too but in a sugar shaker because they are too big to fit in the pill holder. Lynda

I used a notebook my first month post op from my conversion from band to rny in june 2013 because I kep track of the time when I ate or drank anything. It was a good reminder and helped me develop my patterns. I have used myfitnesspal.com for over five years since being banded in 2008. I love myfitnesspal because I can follow my patterns and quite honestly I am a creature of habit so it isn't a chore. It helps me make sound decisions when I'm not sure about food too. I agree with coggin that it is probably the most powerful tool in our arsenal. Journaling any type.

[mistysj 1,940]

MFP

Endomondo to log exercise

Fitbit to log my daily steps

Fitbit Aria scale to log my weight and body fat percentage and send it to MFP automatically

Kitchen scale

Lots of real tupperware containers because they don't leak. The snack cups are a perfect size especially in the early days and still hold a snack size of cottage cheese, yogurt etc. and the Tupperware tumblers with snap on lids are great for Protein Powder to be turned into a shake by adding Water

A carafe to chill water in the fridge

chewable Multivitamins, Calcium and Iron that tastes like candy and keeps me taking them every day

Really good Zojirushu vacuum flask to keep my coffee piping hot for 10 hours because sometimes it takes me most of the day to finish a cup and I like it HOT

My kindle paperwhite which has let me read so so many books about WLS and nutrition and the psychology of successful weight loss after surgery

Good running shoes that really fit

[Beachbum2017 108]

My Fitness Pal - definitely! If you add the app to your phone - it's really easy to keep up with. Honestly - in the early days - those measuring cups that are flexible and allow you to measure and then plop the food out into your teeny tiny bowls were nice - sometimes "mushy" food is not so easy to measure! I bought pretty tiny little bowls and plates (just a couple!) to make my food look special - sounds silly but it worked for me!!

[DLCoggin 1,788]

"Really good Zojirushu vacuum flask to keep my coffee piping hot for 10 hours because sometimes it takes me most of the day to finish a cup and I like it HOT"

Now that's a great tip for us coffee lovers! Thank you!

[CrazyJaney 775]

Great thread. Glad I stumbled on it.

[Kindle 8,667]

Guess I'm the slacker on here. Used sticky pads to jot down Fluid and Protein for the first 2 months. I also bought a couple blender bottles that I use everyday. That's the extent of my gadget/equipment investment. Don't weigh or measure or track anything. Eat off the smaller plates in my cupboard using regular utensils. Keeping it simple and "user friendly" was the only way I knew this would work for me. I am thinking of getting a Foodsaver vacuum sealer to make it easier to store and freeze the tiny portions I eat so I don't waste so much food.

I am only 5 months out, though, so I don't know if you can consider me "successful".

Edited May 14, 2014 by Kindle

[GoldnGirl6677 62]

Hey love the ideas here. I stumbled across some apps that help you time / chew while you have your meal. Has anyone tried these either free or buy now versions. I'd be keen to know if any are useful.

I find I easily fall into 'shovel' mode - forgetting to put down my spoon and wait :-p